Mark Sherman: Using what you’ve got
From the standpoint of identity politics, you are in a particularly strong position if you can claim more than one downtrodden identity. As a white male there isn’t a lot to choose from, but I do have one card…
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Walter Maxwell and the importance of community
As political scientist Robert Putnam, author of the turn-of-the-21st-century classic Bowling Alone, America’s Declining Social Capital, expressed it, “If we can get more people engaged in community life in contexts that respect American pluralism, many of our other problems —to begin with, our politics — will be different.” Walter Maxwell lived that belief. Walter got it. Walter lives.
Letter: Support and advocate for continued refugee resettlement
While I am sincerely troubled by the Trump administration’s executive order, I am heartened by our New Paltz village and town council’s joint resolution in support of local refugee settlement.
Hugh Reynolds: Bad apples annoy Mike Hein
Damned media! Ulster County Executive Mike Hein served up an estimated 4,000 words on dozens of subjects at his ninth annual state of the county address last week in New Paltz. What did most of the media pick up? Only a passing gotcha, complete with fuzzy Muppets graphics of two tired old bad apples who had the gall to question several executive initiatives over the past few years.
Letter: Moriello Pool maintenance issues imperil New Paltz swim team’s future
“I exhort the town and village officials to join forces and strive forth united to act promptly and efficiently to maintain the culture and the tradition of the Moriello Pool and the Seahawks.”
For NYC transplants, finding good work in the Hudson Valley can be a challenge
One of the ways to do so has been somehow to create one’s own job. Though that’s a tough road, thousands of people have tried to do it, combining their creative skills, business acumen, imagination and not a little tenacity.
Hugh Reynolds: Will Preet Bharara’s latest corruption probe ensnare Ulster Dems?
In 2015, Bill de Blasio’s Campaign for New York, since disbanded, was called to task for funneling hundreds of thousands of dollars through upstate Democratic committees in a failed attempt to elect a Democratic state senate. One of those county committees, to the tune of some $350,000, was Ulster County. Some locals dared call the activity money-laundering, charges denied by county Chairman Frank Cardinale, who said his committee acted entirely within the law.
What price water in New Paltz?
New Paltz Village Mayor Tim Rogers has provided our community with some insight into why a number of Plains Road residents might not want to be forced into giving up use of their individual water wells to become part of a proposed water district.
When it comes to spotting the economy’s unicorns, Start-Up New York has been a disappointment
In the past two years, Start-Up New York has fallen woefully short of expectations, while the other state programs picking the economic-development winners have had a mixed record. Meanwhile, the modest UVANY network, which has scored its successes and failures without direct governmental funding, continues to enlarge its constituency.
Letter: Columbus Day should remain on the calendar in New Paltz
The history of the western hemisphere begins with the Columbian contact and represents the dawn of our American heritage! Such a phenomenon deserves a holiday in Columbus’ name and must therefore remain on the school district’s calendar as is.